Conclusion - Cons

Using flash with Auto ISO enabled results in ISO 400 even in bright light conditions

Cannot configure common live view and movie mode options independently

AF illuminator integrated into flash (must have flash engaged to use it)

Shorter battery life than other DSLRs in its class

Overall conclusion

The entry-level DSLR market is under continual pressure from large sensor mirrorless models, the best of which offer equivalent image quality in a smaller package. And for many novices with smartphone experience, the ability to easily capture video, as well as manipulate a device via a touchscreen may resonate just as much as more traditional photographic requirements. Canon's challenge with the EOS 700D / Rebel T5i, then is to offer the traditional features of a DSLR with an interface that is intuitive for first-time owners.

The EOS 700D retains a good chunk of what we found compelling about its 'true' predecessor, the EOS 600D. Very good image quality from an 18MP CMOS sensor, sensible handling and a wealth of external controls for those who are ready to do more than simply point and shoot all adds up to a very capable little SLR.

What Canon added, however, in the 650D and which is carried over into the 700D is a stunningly good touchscreen interface and a more direct method of activating movie mode. This may not sound like much, but Canon's well-designed and thoroughly-integrated interface means that the EOS 700D into a camera that is actually fun to operate, something we don't often say about DSLRs at this level. Throw in a shooting rate of 5 fps, in-camera lens corrections, multi-shot noise reduction, stereo microphones and a maximum ISO sensitivity of 25600, and you have a camera that holds strong appeal for both novice and more seasoned DSLR users.

Our biggest disappointment, however, lies in the camera's 'hybrid' AF performance in live view and video modes. Make no mistake, this is an improvement over the EOS 600D, with the 700D focusing nearly twice as fast in well-lit conditions. And the arrival of an 18-55mm STM kit lens provides an upgrade in video performance over the non-STM kit lens offered with the EOS 650D. Yet its AF speed it is still far behind the better mirrorless models we have seen from the likes of Panasonic and Olympus as well as rival Nikon's 1 series.

Image Quality

The EOD 700D carries on the tradition of high image quality from previous Rebel series cameras. Generally pleasing white balance is matched with well-judged exposures (in all but more extreme backlit situations) to deliver natural looking images with contrast that provides enough 'punch' to give pleasing results without going overboard. In-camera JPEGs display a pleasing balance between image detail and noise suppression at all but perhaps the highest ISO settings, although more advanced users will reap even greater image quality by processing Raw images, whether in Canon's fully-featured Digital Photo Professional software or in a third party offering.

The highlight dynamic range of the 700D lags a bit behind many of its peers, though this can be mitigated by enabling Canon's highlight Tone Priority (HTP) settings. Unfortunately, as on previous models, Canon buries this useful feature in the custom menu, where uninitiated users might never find it.

Video quality is very good. The camera's 1920 x 1080 30p output offers pleasing colors and contrast supported by a metering system that works well in a range of lighting conditions. The ability to manually control exposure as well as sound levels, along with the inherent benefits of shallow depth of field you get with an APS-C sensor, provides many creative opportunities for the budding filmmaker. While we still wish for significantly faster video AF performance, the bundled 18-55mm STM lens provides an additional and welcome option for quiet autofocus performance.

Handling

The form factor and external control layout of the EOS 700D has changed very little from that of the EOS 600D. And this counts as a positive. We found little fault with the earlier camera's handling and operation. Any owner of a previous Rebel series model will feel right at home with the 700D.

Shifting movie mode from the mode dial to a position on the power switch is a seemingly minor change, but one that actually makes it far easier to toggle between stills and video shooting and to enable manual exposure control in movie mode.

The biggest plus point where handling and operation are concerned is undoubtedly Canon's use of a touchscreen interface. Canon clearly put a lot of thought into its implementation, and the EOS 700D sports a comprehensive and intuitive touchscreen interface that we'd love to see implemented by its rivals.

Equally as impressive is the fact that you are not forced to use one mode of operation over the other. In adding touchscreen control Canon has taken nothing away from the operational experience of using the external dials and buttons. The camera's eye sensor ensures that you don't accidently activate the screen while looking through the viewfinder. You can ignore - and even completely disable - touchscreen control and operate the 700D via its external controls, exactly as you would any of its predecessors. Or you can use the touchscreen in combination with the 4-way controller and main dial, which for some operations yields the most efficient results.

Taken as a whole, this is a level of efficiency and integration that surpasses anything we've seen from other camera makers. Other than a minor complaint about menu tabs being a bit difficult to accurately press, we have nothing but praise for such a well-thought out design and successfully executed implementation.

The Final Word

With the EOS 700D, Canon continues its tradition of very good image quality for both stills and video shooting and provides a well-executed touchscreen implementation that makes this one of the more enjoyable to use novice-oriented DSLRs on the market.

Where the camera falters, unfortunately, is with AF performance in live view. Canon's 'hybrid' AF system, while a step forward compared to contrast detect attempts of a couple of years ago, is still a long way from what we've seen in other mirrorless models, and from our experience of Sony's SLTs. And while we applaud Canon for attempting continuous AF in movie mode, it too is prone to more focus errors than we'd have liked to see.

For users moving up from compact cameras, the 700D offers a very significant increase in image quality and a comfortable to hold camera wrapped in an interface that accommodates both touchscreen and external control operation. A 5fps shooting speed makes it a useful option for those who want to capture recreational sports or fast action. And for those ready to take more direct control over the imaging process, manual exposure controls (for stills and video), combined with a bundled feature-rich raw converter provide the ability to get the most from your images.

Scoring is relative only to the other cameras in the same category.Click here to learn about the changes to our scoring system and what these numbers mean.

Canon EOS 700D (EOS Rebel T5i / EOS Kiss X7i)

Category: Mid Range Interchangeable Lens Camera / DSLR

Build quality

Ergonomics & handling

Features

Metering & focus accuracy

Image quality (raw)

Image quality (jpeg)

Low light / high ISO performance

Viewfinder / screen rating

Optics

Performance

Movie / video mode

Connectivity

Value

PoorExcellent

Good for

Enthusiasts looking for the manual control and image quality of a DSLR but who'd appreciate the option to use a touchscreen interface.

Not so good for

Users who require fast AF performance in live view and/or video mode.

Overall score

76%

The Canon EOS 700D / Rebel T5i is an upgrade to the 650D almost in name only, but still combines very good image quality with a comprehensive, well-designed touchscreen interface. AF performance in live view mode and video is an improvement over early Rebel DSLRs, but still lags behind mirrorless options.

I am graduating from a bridge camera to a DSLR. Have been a hobby photographer for many years primarily doing landscape photography but I do it only when on a vacation that would be twice a year. I was a little confused whether to buy a Canon 700D or a Nikon D5300. I have always used Canon cameras before and after going thru many reviews comparing the two cameras I am not wiser. I also understand that once one buys a DSLR one continues to buy cameras of that family so that it can save money on lenses. Assuming that the quality of photos is not much different in the two cameras is the touch screen in 700D so useful that I should buy a Canon or the WIFI-GPS so important in the Nikon. As there anything else that help me decide between the two. Your advice would be most helpful.Tx. You can reply directly on my mail - drkpsanghvi@gmail.com

since u have been using canon , it is better to go for 700d as u r familiar with canon system and picture style and may have canon lenses with you. i find canon 700d is nice cam with cleaner sharper image with better color than nikon.

Nikon always have bean a crap for landscapes...I mean in case we talking about cheaper model DSLRs. Nikons green color is absolute joke and ISO stuck ....stay with canon...Nikon is great for moving objects r portraits...but as a landscape photographer I will never ever go for Nikon unless I can buy D4.

I would go for the Canon if you have prior experience with those cameras. Also, the Nikon lens screw on "backwards" - well, at least the one I used. Their customer support was abysmal in 2012 when I was working for a company that had a problem with one of their recent DSLRs. At the time I was trying to use the company camera (a Nikon) to take product shots but was having many issues so I brought my Canon 7D to work everyday and shot them with that.

canon 600d or 700d ?i have been carefully seeing 1000s of photos taken by 600d and 700d on flickr and other review sites including this top cam site, in review images 600d looks better on most parameters notably sharpness and color but on flickr photos 600d pix looks a bit less sharp to 700d pix which is more evident on night landscapes shots.Especially a few shots on 700d plus canon 18-135 of hongkong night landscape is very sharp with great color...which none of nikon, sony or pantex match...i m in dilemma , can the 600d with 18-135 canon match 700d?experts are requested to clear the doubt, thanks!

An outstanding review as usual. I just wish camera makers would let cameras be cameras and camcorders be camcorders. All I want is a camera. Take away the video mode gubbins and we would see a big drop in price. I can buy a pocket camcorder if I need urgent video. Why stick it in a camera at all? Better buffers could be included and also better features by knocking out the video stuff. Well, that's what I think anyway.

blah blah blah ..cannon stays cannon ..all the new shiny freaks will rush on buying a camera that is basically the same as the one they had 3 years ago .no true innovation from cannon for a long while now .

A nice camera that replaced my 600D after it ingested yellow steam on a volcano!The camera does everything I ask of it including astro photography, and the touch screen is used far more than I thought it would be, all in all an excellent camera.